Scripture:
Exodus 35:30-35 ESV
[30] Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; [31] and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, [32] to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, [33] in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. [34] And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. [35] He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.
Observation:
This passage starts with Moses telling the people of GOD about the gifts that have been given to Bezalel. GOD had placed in him HIS spirit. However, that’s not the only thing he was given. Along with HIS spirit came skill, intelligence, knowledge, craftsmanship, and an artistic flair. It seems like the more important part of the gift that he was given was how GOD used it. Sure the temple was going to get built and it was going to look amazing due to the skills and talents that GOD gave Bezalel, but how long would it take I mean he is only one man. In my mind and heart, verse 34 is a key. GOD gave Bezalel skills and talents, but then HE inspired him to teach those skills to others and share his talents so that the work that needed to be done could have more hands doing it.
Application:
It was hard to decide what to dive into this morning. There is so much good stuff in the bible. I mean a new verse before where I feel like GOD told me to stop HE was talking about how HIS people gave so much for the building of the temple that Moses had to tell them to stop. But then JE goes into discipleship, and if you know me at all you know where my heart is. What good is something that GOD gave you if you can’t use it to help others? It serves no purpose. We are designed to be vessels. So even though we are talking about teaching others the skills and talents that GOD has given you message of this chapter is consistent. We are made to give, teach, and build, but not for selfish reasons. Putting the needs of others first, showing them how to have a trade but teach others as well. I have heard it said if you give a man a fish you feed him for the day….. But if you teach him to fish you feed him for life. I’m not much different than Bezalel. GOD has given me a set of skills, and my heart desires to show others how to do those things. At the same time I teach them how to put GOD first in their lives I firmly believe that discipleship is the key. We can lead them to Christ all day long…but then what? So my challenge to you today is to find someone to pour into and show them the skills and talents that GOD gave you, because as you do that. They will see your relationship with Jesus and honestly, that is the goal here. Always remember you can’t outgive GOD. He is not trying to get something from you… HE is trying to get something to you. We are vessels made to hold things temporarily, and as we give what we have been filled with, we go back to the well and get filled with more.
Prayer:
Father, this life is honestly not about us. We tend to think in the right now and you are the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You are the GOD of all generations. You see the right now and the tomorrow. and you are the same in all of it. You know the skills and talents You gave us, and we want to use them for Your glory help us to see others and their needs we want to show men how to fish. You have made us a vessel so that living water can flow through us. The buck does not stop here. Father if we are not gifted with teaching tuck us under the wing of someone who is. We were bought at a price. This life is not our own. Fill our cup so that it runs over to others. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.